This Saturday, December 17, Pope Francis will turn 80. According to the Vatican press office, Francis will not do anything special and will spend the day working. Here is your busy schedule:

• 8:00am Celebration of the Holy Mass with the Cardinals residing in the Pauline Chapel of the Apostolic Palace of the Vatican
• Meeting with the Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, Card. Marc Ouellet
• Meeting with the Swiss Bishop of Chur, Vitus Huonder
• Meeting with members of the Catholic community of Nomadelfia

In any case, we hope that you will surely find a moment to blow-out the candles!

And, at this time, the Pope reminds us that "God does not abandon his people", and encourages us to be "men and women of hope..."

The Vatican has made available an email address to congratulate Pope Francis, and we have put it in our system to make sending him birthday wishes easy for you.

By signing this campaign, you will be congratulating the Pope on his 80th birthday. While signing, you can (if you wish) change the email subject and add a personal message.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Pope Francis to Pilgrims: Thanks for Birthday Wishes

MPs Congratulate Pope on His 80th Birthday

A Multi-lingual Choral Arrangement for Pope Francis, to Mark His 80th Birthday